The public believes that Britain's towns and cities are dirtier than those in the rest of western Europe and that local streets are not being properly looked after, according to a Mori opinion survey.

The survey found 60% of people think the UK lags behind continental standards of cleanliness. And despite the government's efforts to clean up urban areas, 56% think their local pavements are not being well maintained.

The results of the poll, commissioned by Camden council, north London, but carried out nationally among nearly 2,000 people, also suggest that issues such as litter and graffiti are key factors in making people feel unsafe on the streets.

Lack of police presence emerged as the biggest factor in making people feel unsafe or uncomfortable - with 57% identifying it as a problem. But 43% highlighted broken paving slabs and potholes, 39% litter and 37% graffiti, while 23% said illegal street traders made them feel uncomfortable.

When Tony Blair earlier this year set out his government's programme to tackle such issues, he said: "Streets that are dirty and threatening deter people from going out. They signal that the community has lost interest. As a result, anti-social behaviour and more serious criminality may take root."

He promised action to double the fines handed to people who drop litter or let their dogs foul the pavement, with the money reinvested in the local environment.

Those pledges were underlined at this year's Labour party conference, when delegates voted through a pol icy document that makes improving the local environment one of the top three priorities for local councils in the government's second term. Ministers have also released a consultation paper that could give councils more authority to deal with abandoned cars, speeding up the process of clearing them from the streets.

In a sign that the government may not be moving quickly enough for some councils, however, the Association of London Government - representing London boroughs - will later this month launch a bid for more powers to clean up the capital.

An association spokesman says: "The public's perception of its local environment has a profound impact on local quality of life and also the public's understanding of their local authority, police force and fire authority."

Camden officials believe that the results of the Mori survey endorse their attempt to raise the cleanliness and safety standards of local streets to European levels through a £20m, four-year programme. Named the Boulevard Project, the programme includes a blitz on graffiti and shoplifting, which the borough already claims to have cut by 60% on its high street.

The council has developed its own, toughened paving slabs to stand up to a new street washing system, and is using special slatting on new and refurbished buildings to make flyposting what it calls "virtually impossible".

A Camden spokesman says: "Given the impression people have that things are better looked after in Europe, what Camden is trying to do is achieve those levels of satisfaction, style and safety."

While declining to comment on the survey findings, a spokeswoman for the Department of Local Government, Transport and the Regions insists that ministers are focusing on the problem of dirty streets. "People are often unhappy with the local physical environment of their neighbourhood," she says. "It's very much a priority."

Introduction of street and neighbourhood wardens to patrol deprived areas is part of a raft of initiatives to keep streets clean by deterring minor crimes such as graffiti, according to the spokeswoman.